The Volkswagen Golf has always been one of those cars that has covered the entire spectrum of car uses, from basic company rep car to searingly quick high performance icon.
And let’s face it, as good as the Golf is in any form, the really hot one is always the most interesting one.
It is a good thing, then, that following the all new Golf range that has recently filled up the majority of the spectrum, we now have the new range-topper here; the Golf R.
We head out to Hampton Downs race track to put the R up against its performance siblings; the Golf and Polo GTI.
What is it?
The absolute pinnacle of the Golf range, adding more equipment, even more power and an AWD drivetrain to the already excellent Golf.
With the Golf GTI kicking off at $58,500 for the manual version and $60,990 for the DSG version and the GTI Performance (that adds a slight power boost, a trick front diff, DCC adaptive chassis control and bi-xenon headlights) dropping in at $65,500 for the DSG-only model, the Golf R nicely tops off the range at a now-cheaper $68,500 for the manual and $70,990 for the DSG.
The Golf R comes with a screaming 221kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine hooked up to VW’s six-speed DSG (or optionally, a six-speed manual). It will rip to 100km/h from a standing start in 4.9 seconds (5.1 for the manual) and, providing you don’t just do that all the time, will sip a combined average of 6.9 litres of fuel for every 100km travelled.
For its $70K ask, the Golf R adds a LOT more than just more power. There is the AWD drivetrain for a start, but it also gets 18-inch alloy wheels, R sports suspension that lowers the car by 20mm, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, bi-xenon headlights and LED DRLs, rear privacy glass, sports seats with Alcantara inserts, keyless entry and start and an eight-speaker audio system that includes a 5.8-inch colour touch screen and navigation.
What’s it like?
Quite intense and yet strangely easy at the same time.
While the acceleration is ridiculously aggressive, its absolute towering proficiency when it comes to corners almost makes things too easy. It simply goes around.
At the race track we were able to test the Golf R up to its absolute limits, and even here it remained benign and utterly predictable, even if you were being an absolute idiot. It is simply that good at what it does. Which is going very quickly indeed.
Where the GTI would eventually understeer when pushed ridiculously hard, the GTI Performance with its trick diff and the Golf R would simply dig in a bit harder and keep going around. It was coming out where the R would simply leave everything else for dead though, and virtually every corner at Hampton Dowsn could show where the extra $5K between the cars goes – on the way in they are all worth the money; going through the GTI Performance easily earns its extra $5K ask; coming out the R proves its further $5K and then some.
What’s good about it?
Well, it’s a Golf to start with, and that is a damn fine platform to start on!
The acceleration is unrelenting and the engine feels utterly unburstable. Corners are dispatched with arrogant efficiency and that unrelenting acceleration begins all over again. What is not to like about that?
What’s not so good?
It does have a tendency to make it all seem a bit too easy, especially when you are on the open road and have no desire to lose your license…
First impressions?
A staggeringly good car and an absolute performance bargain. Almost the perfect car if you are after something that can do double duty as a daily commuter and a weekend track car – in fact, that is about the only way you will ever appreciate the true talent of the Golf R.
Like a docile, ordinary Golf around town, the R is a feral, addictive beast on the track. While it is also massive fun on a winding back road, its ability to make it seem too easy means you will never fully experience its depth of talents on the open road. Unless you are cool with the idea of walking home after the R has been confiscated…
Models/prices
Golf R (manual) – $68,500
Golf R (DSG) – $70,990
Powertrain
2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol turbo producing 221kW/380Nm; six-speed manual transmission or six-speed DSG; all-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 7.1l/100km (manual), 6.9L/100km (DSG)
CO2 emissions: 165g/km (manual), 159g/km (DSG)
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: 5 Star
Air bags: 7
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
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